Week 8 Developments + Takeaways

We cannot doubt Deshaun Watson any longer (or Will Fuller).

Watson put up some big time numbers against bad passing defenses over the last four weeks before his bye: in New England, and at home vs the Titans, Chiefs, and the Browns. Going into Seattle was a whole different task, and boy did he live up to it. For a rookie QB to go into Seattle and be as comfortable to put up 400 yards passing and 4 TDs is simply amazing. Aaron Rodgers could hardly get it done at home against the Seahawks in Week 1, let alone in Seattle. Watson needs to be in your lineup every single week, and now we know not to think twice. Coming into this game, Will Fuller had 5 TDs on 8 catches. Unsustainable right? Well now he has 7 TDs on 13 catches. We need to stop doubting him as well. If you sat these two, don’t beat yourself up for it; these two are anomalies, and that decision is correct more times than not. Just learn the lesson and move on: keep these guys in your lineup.

The Steelers will be just fine without Martavis Bryant.

I love these stories. You want to act like a diva? Ok cool, sit this game, and watch the next guy step up and take your job. It’s pure meritocracy. Juju Smith-Schuster has one of the best names of all time, and can be a huge reason why the Steelers offense takes a step forward. There was a big void in this offense for a third option behind Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, and Juju can fill that hole, especially after putting up a huge game in Detroit last night. He had the longest pass in Steelers history, and showed his ability to make big plays. Is he a must-start moving forward? I think we stay in the flames with him until he proves us otherwise. In a game where Darrius Heyward-Bey and Ben couldn’t connect on an easy touchdown, and Eli Rogers dropping a TD pass, Juju has the third option role on lock for now. Him and Antonio Brown were tied with 10 targets. After the game, Mike Tomlin was asked if he has confidence in Martavis Bryant helping out the team going forward, and his answer was no.

No clear handcuff behind Lamar Miller; could be split between D’Onta Foreman and Alfred Blue.

Foreman didn’t get a single touch in Week 9, and only got one snap. Blue had 5 carries on 11 snaps in this game, so Foreman isn’t the clear cut handcuff we thought he was a few weeks ago. These two would likely split time in the event that Lamar Miller went down with an injury, so I am personally not rostering either one at this point.

Josh Doctson is playing ahead of Terrelle Pryor, but Jamison Crowder is the one who got the targets.

Crowder finally got a huge target share in this game, seeing a whopping 13 targets. He is the Redskins’ best receiver, but it remains to be seen if he will be featured like this in games to come. If he’s on your waiver wire, he’s worth a pickup, but he’s not a dependable option just yet. Doctson played on 79% of snaps compared to Pryor’s 33%, so Doctson is definitely the superior option on your roster at this point. There’s no doubt he’s a preferred red zone option, but we haven’t seen much of him outside of that. He only had 1 catch for 1 yard for a TD in this game. He’s a hold, but not a guy I want to start at this point.

Reed might be the only tight end in the league with a worthy handcuff. Davis has been getting it done even while Reed was healthy, but came up short against the Cowboys. In the past 4 games prior to this week, Davis had at least 58 yards receiving, and is a big play guy I don’t mind even throwing in my flex while Reed is out. With the receiving options in flux, Davis is more of a dependable option than any of the WRs on the outside.

Devin Funchess is getting targets, but can’t be trusted.

Funchess was the hotness a few weeks ago. He was the guy Cam went to after Greg Olsen went down, he was getting volume, but the reality is he’s only given us two fantasy-worthy games. He has only caught 9 of 23 targets over the past 3 games in great matchups, so I can’t trust him moving forward as a dependable option.

Corey Clement playing ahead of Wendell Smallwood.

Smallwood is healthy, but Clement outsnapped Smallwood 19-12. Clement ran well, producing 54 yards on 10 carries. LeGarrette Blount isn’t an every-down back, so if Clement is playing over Smallwood, he’s worth an add. Since the Eagles were playing ahead in the second half, I’m curious to see how this stable of backs would be used if it was a competitive game. Clement played very well in the preseason as well, so his production might finally be giving him an opportunity.

It’s time to trade Alshon Jeffery.

I said it in my Week 8 trade target article on Friday. If Jeffery produces in this good matchup, sell him high and keep it moving. Well, he produced a highlight reel TD and you can sell him on name value, and the appearance of a #1 WR for a good QB in Carson Wentz. Jeffery has not been consistent so far this season, and has had more than 4 catches only once this season. His ceiling isn’t even high enough to warrant a spot in my lineup every week. Not only that, but he has faced and will continue to face tough cornerback matchups. He has Denver next week, a bye, two okay matchups, Seahawks, Rams, and Giants. I don’t want any part of that, as Jeffery isn’t matchup proof.

Willie Snead isn’t startable right now.

Snead played 4 snaps and wasn’t targeted in Week 9, even after coming back healthy and getting multiple full practices in this week. I would hold him, but I’m not holding my breath. Update from Monday: Sean Payton said that Snead will have a role down the stretch. Like I said, he won’t help you right away, but if you have the bench space he’ll be worth a hold to have someone with WR3 value down the stretch. If you need more upside, you can trade or drop him.

Rex Burkhead becoming relevant in PPR.

Dion Lewis led the Patriots backfield in snap share at 34%, followed by Burkhead at 32%, who only played 3 fewer snaps. He had 7 receptions on 11 touches, and is looking like someone who should be picked up in PPR leagues. I’m fine dropping Gillislee for either Lewis or Burkhead. James White still has his role, as he’s still racking up catches.

Jack Doyle is the only Colt who we can trust.

This offense isn’t looking good if you ask any TY Hilton owners, but Doyle is averaging almost 11 targets in the last 3 games. He’s catching most of his targets, and is someone I’m confident throwing in my TE slot, but also someone I can throw in my flex if I’m desperate during bye weeks.

Adam Thielen is an every-week start.

Thielen has quietly become 2nd in receiving yards behind Antonio Brown. With Diggs coming back from an injury, Thielen was the go-to against the Browns in London, racking up close to 100 yards and a TD. He needs to be in your lineup every week, especially in PPR leagues.

Mohamed Sanu continues to get it done.

Sanu has had at least 6 targets in every game except the one he got hurt in a few weeks ago. He continues to be one of Matt Ryan’s favorite red zone targets and I’m rolling him out every week in PPR leagues as a WR3/Flex option for now.

This one leaves me scratching my head. Freeman is uber talented and he needs to touch the ball more. Freeman out-snapped Coleman 40-29, but Coleman out-touched Freeman 15-13. This needs to be corrected, and the Falcons needs to start putting the ball into their best players’ hands – let Julio and Freeman do their thing. Give them the rock. Update from Monday: Freeman will be limited this week due to a shoulder injury. Not sure when he sustained that injury, but it could have played a factor in him being out-touched vs the Jets.

The Ravens can’t deny Alex Collins much longer.

Collins has been getting it done for the Ravens, and I don’t think they can limit his touches much longer. He’s averaged 5.98 yards per carry this season, and if he’s sitting on your waiver wire I would pick him up with the hopes that he gets a bigger workload moving forward. The Ravens had a ton of carries to go around on Thursday night because of the lead they had, so Collins got the work, but he only had 1 more snap than Buck Allen. The Ravens have a good defense, so if they can limit opposing offenses, they can stay out of negative game scripts and keep running the ball.